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STATE HOUSE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION, APR. 19
Wicked Local, Watertown, MA
April 3 2013
WATERTOWN - Each April for the past 28 years, members of the Armenian
community along with state legislators and guests have filled the
House Chamber at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
This year marks the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
commemoration will take place on Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. with
a program of speakers and honorees. Following the ceremony and pending
final permitting, attendees will be invited to participate in a newly
organized march from the State House to Armenian Heritage Park on the
Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional remarks, music, and a catered
lunch. The march will include a stop along the way to place a wreath
at The New England Holocaust Memorial.
The event is both solemn and celebratory, recognizing the genocide of
1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish
government, as well as honoring survivors and looking forward as
Armenian American descendants commit themselves to preserving their
culture and working for humanitarian projects and awareness.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, who served from
2006-2008, will deliver the keynote address. Armenian Heritage Park
architect Donald Tellalian will be honored with a Joint House and
Senate Resolution. Dedicated in May of 2012, the park is a gift to
Boston and the Commonwealth from the Massachusetts Armenian-American
community. The split dodecahedron abstract sculpture which rests atop
a 16-foot diameter reflecting pool is designed to be reconfigured each
year and symbolizes those who were pulled apart from their country
but reestablished themselves in different ways. Visitors to the park
can also walk a labyrinth that reflects the journey of life.
"We are very excited this year to introduce the march from the State
House to the Armenian Heritage Park," said Belmont resident Lalig
Musserian who is coordinating this year's celebration along with a
commemoration committee working closely with state Representatives
Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), and John Lawn
(D-Watertown), and state Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) who
host the day."The march expresses the ongoing work of recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and our desire to reach out to others and
build awareness that as a world community we must work to prevent
the horrors of genocide."
Survivors of the Genocide will be presented with proclamations at
the State House ceremony, and photographs of others will be present
through the participation of attendees in the "Stand Up For Your
Survivor" program organized by Arlington High School senior Anahis
Kechejian. "There are so few survivors left," said Kechejian, "This
is one way for descendants to honor our ancestors, and for youth such
as myself to pledge our efforts to work for justice and preserve our
Armenian heritage."
The participation of youth is an integral part of the commemoration.
Members of theHomenetmen Scout Troop will attend, as will students from
the Armenian Sisters' Academy and St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary
School, who will perform music at the State House. Martin Haroutunian
and Tigran Avetisyan will perform at the Heritage Park.
"To see our youth involved in this event is particularly meaningful
to me," said Representative Hecht. "They are our bridge to the future
and our hope that such atrocities will never take place again. The
late Speaker George Keverian, who began the annual commemoration at
the State House in 1985, would be pleased to see the program has now
extended beyond the State House with this year's march."
"When the posters of survivors are held high in the House Chamber
for all to see, it reminds us of a history that must be recognized
and remembered, and calls us to the importance of working for human
rights," said Senator Brownsberger. "I look forward to all ages
marching together."
"The march to the park is a wonderful addition to the commemoration,"
said Representative Lawn. "This is a visible way of showing the
pride in history and culture of Armenian Americans as they strive
for recognition of the Genocide."
"It is time for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As a
newly elected state representative I look forward to hosting the
Commemoration and advancing this worthy cause for years to come,"
said Representative Rogers.
Free buses to the State House, provided generously by the Knights of
Vartan, will leave St. James and St. Stephen's Churches in Watertown
at 9:00 a.m. Bus transportation will be provided to anyone who is
unable to march from the State House to the Heritage Park. In the case
of inclement weather the march will not take place and a reception
will be held at the Great Hall of the State House. Buses will depart
Heritage Park at the conclusion of the program at 2 p.m. and return
directly to Watertown.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x898158023/State-House-Armenian-Genocide-Commemoration-Apr-19#axzz2PQResJHy
Wicked Local, Watertown, MA
April 3 2013
WATERTOWN - Each April for the past 28 years, members of the Armenian
community along with state legislators and guests have filled the
House Chamber at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
This year marks the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
commemoration will take place on Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. with
a program of speakers and honorees. Following the ceremony and pending
final permitting, attendees will be invited to participate in a newly
organized march from the State House to Armenian Heritage Park on the
Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional remarks, music, and a catered
lunch. The march will include a stop along the way to place a wreath
at The New England Holocaust Memorial.
The event is both solemn and celebratory, recognizing the genocide of
1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish
government, as well as honoring survivors and looking forward as
Armenian American descendants commit themselves to preserving their
culture and working for humanitarian projects and awareness.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, who served from
2006-2008, will deliver the keynote address. Armenian Heritage Park
architect Donald Tellalian will be honored with a Joint House and
Senate Resolution. Dedicated in May of 2012, the park is a gift to
Boston and the Commonwealth from the Massachusetts Armenian-American
community. The split dodecahedron abstract sculpture which rests atop
a 16-foot diameter reflecting pool is designed to be reconfigured each
year and symbolizes those who were pulled apart from their country
but reestablished themselves in different ways. Visitors to the park
can also walk a labyrinth that reflects the journey of life.
"We are very excited this year to introduce the march from the State
House to the Armenian Heritage Park," said Belmont resident Lalig
Musserian who is coordinating this year's celebration along with a
commemoration committee working closely with state Representatives
Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge), and John Lawn
(D-Watertown), and state Senator Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont) who
host the day."The march expresses the ongoing work of recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and our desire to reach out to others and
build awareness that as a world community we must work to prevent
the horrors of genocide."
Survivors of the Genocide will be presented with proclamations at
the State House ceremony, and photographs of others will be present
through the participation of attendees in the "Stand Up For Your
Survivor" program organized by Arlington High School senior Anahis
Kechejian. "There are so few survivors left," said Kechejian, "This
is one way for descendants to honor our ancestors, and for youth such
as myself to pledge our efforts to work for justice and preserve our
Armenian heritage."
The participation of youth is an integral part of the commemoration.
Members of theHomenetmen Scout Troop will attend, as will students from
the Armenian Sisters' Academy and St. Stephen's Armenian Elementary
School, who will perform music at the State House. Martin Haroutunian
and Tigran Avetisyan will perform at the Heritage Park.
"To see our youth involved in this event is particularly meaningful
to me," said Representative Hecht. "They are our bridge to the future
and our hope that such atrocities will never take place again. The
late Speaker George Keverian, who began the annual commemoration at
the State House in 1985, would be pleased to see the program has now
extended beyond the State House with this year's march."
"When the posters of survivors are held high in the House Chamber
for all to see, it reminds us of a history that must be recognized
and remembered, and calls us to the importance of working for human
rights," said Senator Brownsberger. "I look forward to all ages
marching together."
"The march to the park is a wonderful addition to the commemoration,"
said Representative Lawn. "This is a visible way of showing the
pride in history and culture of Armenian Americans as they strive
for recognition of the Genocide."
"It is time for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As a
newly elected state representative I look forward to hosting the
Commemoration and advancing this worthy cause for years to come,"
said Representative Rogers.
Free buses to the State House, provided generously by the Knights of
Vartan, will leave St. James and St. Stephen's Churches in Watertown
at 9:00 a.m. Bus transportation will be provided to anyone who is
unable to march from the State House to the Heritage Park. In the case
of inclement weather the march will not take place and a reception
will be held at the Great Hall of the State House. Buses will depart
Heritage Park at the conclusion of the program at 2 p.m. and return
directly to Watertown.
http://www.wickedlocal.com/watertown/news/x898158023/State-House-Armenian-Genocide-Commemoration-Apr-19#axzz2PQResJHy